Russia and Iraq agree to renew an arms deal worth US$ 4.2 billion; Russia will not support its citizens affected by the Cyprus crisis; Russia says that the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) has no prospects in the future; Russia’s Centra
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    • According to reports, Russia and Iraq have agreed to renew an arms deal worth US$ 4.2 billion that was put on hold in 2012 amid corruption allegations. Russia has reportedly agreed to send four extra assault helicopters as part of the renegotiations. It will be Iraq’s largest arms deal with a partner other than the US and its key allies in the post Saddam period. The deal will involve supply of Pantsir-S1 short-to-medium-range air defence systems and Mi-28NE strike helicopters. 1

    According to reports, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov has said that there are no plans to provide any support to Russian citizens who are directly affected by the Cyprus bailout issue. However, Russia will be willing to consider any case if a state owned company is involved. 2

    According to reports, Russia has declared that the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) has no prospects in the future. Instead, Russia hopes to discuss with NATO new mechanisms of arms controls in Europe during a European security conference due in Moscow on May 23-24. 3

    According to reports, Russia’s Central Bank has expressed concern over the slow economic growth in the country. From January to February 2013, Russia's GDP grew by a mere 0.9 per cent as compared to growth of 4.3 per cent during the same period in 2012. Industrial output has fallen to 1.5 per cent. 4

    According to reports, President Putin has said that Russia’s global arms exports have increase by 12 per cent in 2012 and now stands at US$ 15.2 billion. Russia currently supplies arms and military equipment to 66 countries, has concluded agreements on military and technical cooperation with 85 countries and its portfolio of orders for defence-related products stands at US$ 46.3 billion. 5

    Reports noted that the Venezuelan parliament has ratified a deal to set up a joint oil extraction venture of state-run Russian and Venezuelan oil companies. The joint venture will extract oil and associated gas at the Carabobo-2 (“Northern”) and Carabobo-4 (“Western”) blocks of Orinoco belt. Rosneft will hold a 40-percent stake in the joint venture and will invest US$ 16 billion over a period of 25 years. 6

    Reports noted that Russia has sent the Novocherkassk large amphibious landing ship to take part in the international Black Sea Naval Force (Blackseafor) naval exercise. The Blackseafor was formally established in 2001 at Turkey's initiative and comprises Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia and Russia. The purpose of Blackseafor is to cooperatively promote security and stability in the Black Sea maritime area and beyond. 7

    According to reports, the state tests of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) will begin in 2014. Russia had announced the development of a new ICBM to replace the existing Topol-M and Yars missiles in 2012. If the tests are successful, the new system can be commissioned by 2015. 8

    According to reports, Russia may extend the deadline for complete destruction of its chemical weapons arsenal until 2020 as it lacks industrial capacity to finish the task on schedule. It has destroyed about 25,000 metric tons of chemical weapons, or 62 per cent of its 40,000-ton stockpile as of April 29, 2012. 9

    According to reports, The US Department of Defence has said that it plans to sidestep a Congressional ban to purchase 30 Mi 17 helicopters from Russia valued at US$ 690 million, despite objections from US lawmakers who allege that the Rosoboronexport has equipped the Syrian government to commit brutal crimes against civilians. The Pentagon has argued that most of Afghan troops are used to flying Russian machines and switching to a new platform will set back the plan of a self sustaining Afghan air force by 3 years. 10

    In other developments, According to reports, Russia is planning to take part in a future tender to build a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Finland. 11

    Russia’s third Borey class nuclear submarine will start trials in the White Sea in June 2013. It is capable of carrying 16 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles. A total of eight Borey-class submarines are to be built for the Russian Navy by 2020. 12

    Two landing ships of Russia’s Pacific Fleet will enter the Syrian port of Tartus in May. 13

    Minister for Economic Development Andrei Belousov has said that Russia’s GDP growth will be around 3 per cent in 2013. 14

    Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov has said that Russia has no plans to establish a military base in Afghanistan. 15

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